Hand-fork



W.HEMMB. "Hand Fork.

(ModeL) No. 243,043. Paten ted June-14; 18-81;

JZV XZ JKM 7/4; .fimm M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM HEMME, OF MICHIGAN VALLEY, KANSAS.

HAND-FORK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 243,043, dated June 14, 1881,

k Application filed March 28, 1881. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM HEMME, of Michigan Valley, in the county of Osage and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hand-Forks and I do hereby declare the following to he a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in hand-forks and itconsists in pivoting between two arms, which extend outward from the bottom part of the fork, a similar fork, which is operated by means of a connecting-rod, which rod has its outer end fastened to a lever which is pivoted in the outer end of the handle of the bottom part of the fork, whereby when a pull is exerted upon the lever the smaller fork is made to close upon the larger one and securely hold whatever may be clasped between them, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to produce a light cheap hand-fork, which will fasten upon the corn-fodder or other substance to be bandled, as soon as a pull is applied thereto, and thus enable substances to be handled with perfect ease which could not be readily moved with a common fork.

The accompanying drawin grepresents a perspective of myinvention.

A represents an ordinary three-pronged fork, of any desired shape, size, or construction, but which is preferably made from a single piece of metal. Secured to this fork at the points B are the two arms or braces O, which have a smaller fork, D, pivoted between their outer ends. This fork is here shown as having but two prongs, though any desired number may be used, and to the upper end of the fork is V secured, in any suitable manner, the bent handle or lever E. Pivoted to this handle or lever E is the connecting-rod G, which has its upper end pivoted to an arm or extension, H, formed on the upper edge of the lever I, which is pivoted in the outer end of the handle J of the fork A. On the outerv end of the lever is made a suitable handle for the operator to catch hold of, and which serves to close the small fork upon the larger one, and thus clamp the load of hay, corn-fodder, or other substance which is being handled securely between them.

When it is desired to move a load of hay, straw, or fodder, the two forks are opened outward from each other as far as possible, and then the tines of the fork A are forced into the substance which is to be moved. A backward pull on the lever I closes the smaller fork upon the larger one, so as to clamp the load in between them. The heavier the load the more securely the twoforks are closed together and the tighter the load is held.

When it is desired to discharge the load the lever I is pressed inward toward the smaller fork, and the connecting-rod presses the tines of the smaller fork outward, so as to allow the load to slip freely out, when the fork is raised freely upward.

Having thus claim The combination of the fork A, provided with the arms 0 and handle J, with the pivoted fork D, connecting-rod G, and lever I, substantially as shown.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM HEMME.

described my invention, I

7 WINFIELD S. J ONES. 

